Author Topic: Washburn Falcon in need of repair (Read 217 times)

jerryme · « **on:** March 04, 2008, 05:59:32 AM »

So I just bought a Washburn Falcon off ebay and it just came in the mail. It is a neck through, string through body design, with two humbuckers, an ebony fingerboard, Indian Rosewood top and back, countinuous wood backplates. Thr problem I have with it is that someone took off the original stop tail piece, routed out the body, and inserted a Kahler tremelo on top of a brass plate. I really would prefer to have a tone pros tail piece and saddle for it. Does Alembic do repair on non-Alembics? I have a good acoustic luthier, but I have never had an elevtric worked on. Anybody have any advice? Feel free to email me. Pics soon to follow. Colin

811952 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2008, 06:14:22 AM »

I'm sure Mica will chime in here soon..

I don't believe Alembic does work on other instruments, except on an extremely case-by-case basis and only as time allows..

My inclination would be to install a brass block (or some hardwood) where the Kahler is now and drill/tap it for the TonePros bridge and tailpiece mounting studs.

I always liked Washburns..

John

jerryme · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2008, 06:58:17 AM »

I talked to a guitar tech who is one of the better tech people in Ky, but he is not a luthier. His response was that he would not want to pull out the Kahler tremelo because any work would eventually show seperation from the wood and look bad. I do not believe this to be the case. I would think a nice piece of wood could be glued in and then the stop tail piece and saddle mounted to that, but I don't do any fine woodworking, only hack and hammer.

(Message edited by davehouck on March 10, 2008)

811952 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2008, 07:13:57 AM »

It would be difficult to not have a visible seam, and my thoughts would be to screw it in as well as glue (or instead of). If you look at the brass sustain block on an Alembic, there is a slight gap/seam visible, as the block is screwed-in and isn't affected by temp/humidity in the same way(s) the wood is. So, yes, it would show, but I don't think that means it wouldn't be a reasonable solution. That brass plate sure is big though...

John

jerryme · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2008, 07:56:40 AM »

I know. It really sucks. If anyone who reads this could recomend someone who could do this type of work would be appreciated. I paid $355 for the guitar, and I am willing to spend about that to have it fixed. I am also going to put some new pu's in it, anybody have some suggestions? It has push pull pots so they would have to be coil tapped. Colin

olieoliver · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2008, 08:06:35 AM »

Nice looking axe though Colin.

Looks similar to another brand I've seen, doesn't it Bill.

Olie

jerryme · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2008, 09:48:46 AM »

It looks a lot bigger in the picture than it does in real life. It is actually dimension wise more the size of a Gibson SG than a Les Paul. I have not even played it yet. It came yesterday and I gave it to this guitar tech to clean the pots, run through the wiring, etc. The Indian Rosewood looks pretty cool in both the lams and the top and back. Has anyone had experience with Lollar Pick ups? They are a little expensive @$100 a piece but from the recordings I have heard they sound pretty cool. Colin
http://www.lollarguitars.com/Pickups.htm

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2008, 02:20:31 PM »

Yes it does, Olie. If you could look at other pics of these guitars, you would also see that the fret markers are little brass donuts, again a lot like the Daion. I've seen some info that Daions were made at the Matsumoku factory, and some info claiming they were made at Yamaki. Bruce Diamond's site contends both Daions and these Washburns were Matsumoku. Either way, the similarities are so significant - especally the brass fret markers and non-continuous wood backplates - that I strongly suspect common parentage. That said, I'm now on the lookout for one of these Washburns.

Bill, tgo

elwoodblue · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2008, 05:15:15 PM »

I've removed kahler's from a couple mid 80's G&L's...put in a block of coco-bolo sanded her smooth and put in a stars guitars brass hardtail on one and an alembic type bridge on another...both sustain forever and are amazing guitars now.

Bill I have one of those and might part with her.

The only reason I don't play it more is the low e wants to be a hair longer than the bridge adjustments will allow...I think the spring behind the saddle peice could be cut in half to allow for proper intonation...seems like alot of fenders need that too.
I can send you pictures if you like.

lbpesq · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2008, 07:43:56 AM »

Elwoodblue:

I like.

Bill, tgo

elwoodblue · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2008, 08:37:55 AM »

cool...
my first guitar in high school was a white eagle...my reason for buying the falcon, and she's a good one.
I only wish I knew about intonation/setup back then...I'll post pics later tonight if all goes well; I'm trying to figure out a persistant tightness in my chest( if only these doctors were as attentive as the folks in santa rosa are ....could be a dental thing as that affects the bod in strange ways...all the docs around here are in such a hurry...wait four hours to be seen and they give you four minutes to explain EvErYtHiNg...my apologies for digression)

healing thoughts to all,
kris

jerryme · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2008, 10:45:17 AM »

Hope ya feel better Elwood. I am bound and determined to make this guitar sing. I may start looking for a nice big block of ebony, brazilian rosewood, or coco bolo to put in that space that will be left from the Kahler when I rip it out. That is a next fall project though.

elwoodblue · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2008, 04:13:50 PM »

got me some penicillin...thanks for the good vibes,

I can post some pics of my post kahler mods here for you...
I remember I spent a while making sure it was a tight tight fit.I also learned then how hard it is to get gorilla glue off ones hands.
I had to put a little slab of rock maple over the new bridge block to raise the bridge.
...the coolest thing is I bought her for about 180.00 and now she is a one of a kind lovely beast.

I know that when you are done you will have a better guitar than stock.

smiles

jerryme · « **Reply #13 on:** March 05, 2008, 05:34:55 PM »

I would love to see the pictures of the mods you did. I am going to play the guitar as is for a while, but by fall of next year I hope to have it refinished with some kind bridge system that will allow to sustain like I think it can. I wish I knew about the fabrication of a bridge, as I know a few machinists who could make a brass bridge.

gtrguy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2008, 09:45:57 AM »

Good pickups are PRS #6 (or is it #7) which sound great and are wired already for coil split or tap.
Around $85 each street price.